Portable furniture device

ABSTRACT

A portable decorative furniture device, such as a bar, which gives the appearance of a permanent structure, although being fully portable or removable. Six structural pieces form a portable bar when set up, and fold or move away when the bar is not in use. Removable fastening means and support members provide strength to the device, adding to the appearance of permanency of the structure.

Unite States Patent [191 White [451 Nov. 19, 1974 PORTABLE FURNITURE DEVICE [76] Inventor: Benjamin White, 7723 S. Michigan, Chicago, 111. 60619 [22] Filed: Oct. 3, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 403,063

[52] US. Cl .52/36, 52/71, 312/140.2, 312/258 [51] Int. Cl A47b 96/14 [58] Field of Search 52/36, 29, 71, 79, 173;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,457,751 6/1923 Roberts 108/113 2,764,462 8/1956 McDonald 312/258 X 2,771,334 Wahlbom 312/1402 ll/l956 l/l957 Schieber 108/113 10/1972 Eckel 52/36 Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Alter, Weiss, Whitesel & Laff [57] ABSTRACT A portable decorative furniture-device, such as a bar,

which gives the appearance of a permanent structure,

although being fully portable or removable. Six structural pieces form a portable bar when set up, and fold or move away when the bar is not in use. Removable fastening means and support members provide strength to the device, adding to the appearance of permanency of the structure.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENIE 2m 1 9 I974 SHEEI EMF 3 PORTABLE FURNITURE DEVICE This invention relates to portable furniture devices, and in particular to portable furniture, such as a bar, which has the appearance of permanence when installed in a given location, but can be readily removed and stored when not in use, leaving the same location available for other purposes.

Many homes, offices, and other buildings and edifices are constructed with bars for the service of beverages in one or more of the rooms for purposes of entertaining guests. Where space is no problem, these bars are built-in, permanent structures, comprising a plurality of vertical panels supporting a horizontal, usually plastic laminate serving surface. If desired, stools are provided in front of the bar to seat guests, and shelves for storing beverages, glasses, and other bar accessories may be provided behind the bar. In addition, service lines carrying gas, water, and drainage facilities may be attached to the bar.

In many instances, the home, office, or other edifice may not come equipped with a bar due to lack of space or lack of desire for such a structure on the part of the original owner of the building. The owner ortenant may install a permanent bar himself, or as is usually the case, have one constructed in a suitable location by a contractor or carpenter. Bar structures are also available in ready-built form from retail outlets, and are usually large and bulky, and difficult to store. Built-in bars are also large, but are constructed as a permanent piece of furniture in a location where there is persumably ample space. I

However, theowner or tenant of a small home or offree may desire to install a portable bar in a location which is also to be used for other purposes. In these situations, a portable or collapsible bar is preferred which movesor folds out of the way when not in use. A porta ble bar may be located in a playroom, and when children are playing in the room, or it is used for other recreational purposes such as billiards or ping-pong, the bar must be removed.

Additionally, a garage may be constructed to also serve as a recreational facility when the car or cars are removed. Many modern garages are built with a wide door at the rear, opening onto a patio or the like in the back yard of a home. A pleasant, large recreation and entertainment area is thus created when the garage is void of cars and the rear door is open. To enhance the recreational value of the area, the owner or tenant may desire to have a bar located in the garage. However, the bar must be of the type that can be removed and stored when the car or cars are returned to the garage. A permanent structure would not be feasible unless the garage was large enough to handle both the bar and the cars.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable furniture device, preferably a bar, which gives the appearance of being built-in and permanent when set-up, assembled and installed, yet which is completely removable when not in use.

An additional object of my invention is to provide a portable furniture device which comprises only six major parts which can be installed or disassembled in beauty, and functional durability of a permanent, builtin structure. 7

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a portable furniture device which while completely portable, provides sufficient internal structural elements to impart the strength of a permanent structure to the device. I

The nature of the preferred embodiment of my invention will become more apparent from a study of the attached drawings in conjunction with the following specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my portable furniture device as installed and assembled in a given area of a building;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the area of FIG. I with the portable furniture device disassembled and removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an interior portion of my portable furniture device, showing the horizontal top panel members in a partially folded position;

FIG. 4 is an additional perspective view of the interior portion of my portable furniture device illustrated in FIG. 3, showing the means of attachment of the vertical front panel to the edifice,

FIG. 5 is a perspective interior view of another portion of my portable furniture device, particularly illustrating the means of attaching and securing the door and second horizontal top panel;-

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an interior portion of my portable furniture device showing the structural members adjacent the door panel;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of a portion of the underside of one of the top panel members of my portable furniture device, showing the means for maintaining the alignment between the front and side panels and the horizontal panels; and

FIG. 8 is a detail view of the front and side vertical panels forming part of my invention, showing these elements disassembled from the portable furniture device.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a portable bar 10 as the preferred embodiment of my portable furniture device. The bar 10 comprises a vertical front panel 12, shown with decorative slats 14 on the forward face thereof. It is to be understood that various decorative treatments can be applied to the forward face of front panel 12 in place of slats 14. At one end of the undecorated or rear side of panel 12 a vertical board member 15 is attached to provide strength and a means of atpanel 12. Side panel 16 is capable of extending at right angles from panel 12, as shown in FIG. 7, or of being folded against panel 16 for storage, as will be explained. Hinges 18 are secured to panel 16 by fastening them to board member 15 (FIG. 5).

One end of top panel 12 includes two sliding bolt fastening means 20 secured thereto, each including a laterally slidable bolt 22. One fastening means 20 is located adjacent the top of panel 12, and the other is located at or near the bottom. Each bolt 22 is adapted to be received in apertures 24 drilled in blocks 26, which in turn are secured to portions of building or edifice 28. Upper block 26 is secured, with nails by way of example, to a beam 30 which is part of the structure of edifice 28. The other block 26 is secured to beam 32, also forming'part of the structure of building 28, and preferably also attached to the floor 34 of the building. When the bar is installed, panel 12 is held upright by positioning the panel adjacent apertures 24 in blocks 26, and at right angles to the blocks. Bolts 22 are aligned with apertures 24 and moved horizontally until they extend into the apertures. Panel 12 is thus secured in its assembled position.

The opposite end of panel 12 is held upright by extending side panel 16 so that it forms a right angle with front panel 12. The angle thus formed supports both panel 16 and the adjacent end of panel 12 in a vertical position. To assist in properly aligning panel 16, a block 36 of minimal thickness (FIG. 5) is located on floor 34, and extends outward along floor 34 at right angles from beam 38 which forms part of the structure of building 28. When installing bar 10, side panel 16 is aligned along the edge of block 36, as shown in FIG. 5.

Fastening means are provided to hold panel 16 against block 36. Screen door hook 40 is secured to block 36, and arranged to mate with eyelet 42 adjacent the bottom of panel 16. The end of block 36 abuts the bottom of board member and positions the adjacent end of panel 16 at the proper distance from beam 38.

The end of the bar 10 includes a door panel 44, which extends between side panel 16 and one of the walls of edifice 28. The outside of the door panel is formed with decorative slats 14 to present the same appearance as the outside of panels 12 and 16. Door panel 44 is pivotally attached by means of hinges 46 to vertical strut 48, which forms part of the wall structure of edifice 28. A handle 50 is provided on the outside of door panel 44, to enable the door to be manually opened or closed.

When closed, as best seen in FIG. 5, the bottom of door panel 44 abuts a vertical edge of block 36. A sliding bolt latch 52 adapted to engage side panel 16 is located on the inside edge of panel 44 to provide means for maintaining door panel 44 in a closed position. When fully opened, door panel 44 lies flush against the wall of edifice 28 to which it is hinged.

The top of bar 10 includes a first horizontal top panel 54 comprising two top members 56, 58. In the preferred embodiment, the top members 56, 58 are each of equal length, and comprise a plastic laminate surface over a plywood base and frame. However, any suitable material may be used to fabricate top members 56, 58 within the scope of my invention. A plastic laminate surface is preferred due to its ease of maintenance and resistance to marking.

Top members 56, 58 are hinged together at juncture 60 such that they may either lie coplaner on top of front panel 12 and side panel 16, as shown in FIG. 1, or may be folded one against the other for storage, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. One end of top panel 56 is also pivotally fastened by means of hinges 62 to beam 30,

which forms part of the structure of edifice 28. FIG. 1

shows top panel 54 in its fully installed position. To place the top panel in its storage position, the hinged joint between members 56, 58 is raised, as seen in FIG. 3, and the two members are folded one against the other as shown in FIG. 2. In this storage position, members 56, 58 fit practically flush against the wall of edifice 28 above beam 30. Attachment means such as flexible strap 64 are seamed to a portion of edifice 28 and extend over members 56, 58 to hold them in their storage position. One end of strap 64 preferably comprises a releasable member, such as a hook, to permit the strap to be readily removed when the bar 10! is assembled.

It is also possible within the scope of my invention to provide means for completely removing horizontal top panel 54 when the bar 19 is disassembled. By removing the pins from hinges 62, top members 56 and 58 may be detached from beam 30 and stored elsewhere.

When the bar 10 is assembled and installed, horizontal top panel 54 rests on and is supported by front panel 12 and side panel 16. Additional support for top panel 54 is provided by removably attaching a plurality of legs 66 (FIG. 6) to the underside of the top panel, which legs extend to the floor 34. Each leg 66 is secured to the top panel by means of hinge-like device 68. Each hinge-like device 68 includes a pin 70 joining the two elements of the hinge. By removing each of the pins 70, the legs can be removed from top panel 54, which is accomplished prior to raising the top panel to its storage position. For ease of insertion and removal, each pin 70 includesa head of larger diameter than the pin shaft, which head is gripped manually.

The width of the leg 66 closest to door panel 44 is such that the upper portion of the leg extends horizontally beyond the edge of top panel 54. This extension forms a support shelf 72, the purpose of which will be described. Additionally, the widths of top member 58 and side panel 16 are non-uniform such that a portion of the upper edge of side panel 16 extends beyond top member 58-, and forms a support shelf 74, the purpose of which will also be explained.

To assist in maintaining the alignment of the horizontal top panel 54 with front and side panels 12 and 16, a pair of right angular channels 76 and 78 (FIG. 7) are provided on the underside of top panel 54. Each channel consists of a pair of downwardly extending blocks 80 which are spaced apart and parallel to one another. As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, when top member 58 is positioned atop front and side panels 12, 16, the upper edge of front panel 12 is received by channel 76, while the upper edge of side panel 16 is received by channel 78. The channels thereby hold the upper portions of front and side panels 12 and 16 firmly when the bar 10 is assembled.

To aid in holding horizontal top panel 54 in position, a hook 79 is provided on the underside of the top panel. This hook 79 is adapted to mate with eyelet 81 secured to side panel 16.

A second horizontal top panel 82 is provided at the end of bar 10 above door panel 44. The construction of top panel 82 is similar to top members 56, 58 i.e.,: a plastic laminate surface over a plywood base and frame assembly. One end of top panel 82 is pivotally attached by means of hinges 84 or the like to a beam 86 forming part of edifice 28. The top panel is capable of being pivoted about hinges 84 from the position shown in FIG. 1 (horizontal) to the position shown in FIG. 2 (vertical). When in the vertical position, the top panel is practically flush against the wall to which it is attached. To maintain top panel 82 in its vertical posi tion, a hook 86 extends from part of the supporting wall and mates with an eyelet 88 which is located on the underside of the top panel. If desired, the pins of hinges 84 may be withdrawn and top panel 82 removed from its supporting wall and stored in a convenient location.

When in its horizontal or assembled position, the free end of top panel 82 rests on support shelves 72, 74, as seen in FIG. 5. The edge of the top panel is located adjacent the side edge of first horizontal top panel 54 and forms substantially a continuous surface therewith. To bring top panel 82 into abutting proximity to horizontal top panel 54, a hook 92 is provided on the underside I of panel 54, which hook is adapted to mate with eyelet 90 on the underside of top panel 82.

locating vertical front and side panels 12, 16 in their proper location as shown in FIG. 1. Bolts 22 (FIGQ4) are moved into apertures 24 to hold one end of front panel 12 in proper position. Side panel 16 is extended at right angles to front panel 16 and positioned adjacent block 36 (FIG. 6) with the end of block 36 in abutment with board member 15 of front panel 12. Hook 40 is mated with eyelet 42 to maintain side panel 16 in its place.

Next, strap 64 is released, and top members 56, 58 are lowered into a horizontal position over front'and side panels 12, 16, care being taken to ensure that the edges of the front and side panels fit into channels 76, 78 respectively. Legs 66 are attached to horizontal top panel 54 by aligning the holes of hinge-like devices 68 and inserting pins 70 through each of the holes. The opposite end of'each leg is then placed on the floor to support top panel 54. Hook 79 is mated with eyelet 81 (FIG. 5) to ensure that top panel 54 is held down against front and side panels 12, 16.

Door panel 44 is next pivoted to its closed position adjacent side panel 16 and block 36. Latch 52 is closed, holding door panel 44 against further pivotal movement. Hook 88 is released, and second top panel 82 pivoted downward until its free end rests on support shelves 72, 74. Hook 92 is then mated witheyelet 90 (FIG. 5) to secure top panel 82 in abutment with horizontal top panel 54. The bar is now assembled and ready for normal use.

To disassemble the bar 10, hook 92 is disengaged from eyelet 90, and top panel 82 pivoted upward until it meets the wall of edifice 28. Hook 88 is mated with eyelet 90 to hold top panel 82 in its vertical position. Door panel 44 is unlatched and pivoted until it is flush against the wall of edifice 28.

Next, hook 79 is disengaged from eyelet 81 and pins 70 removed from hinge elements 68. Legs 66 are removed and stored in a convenient location, and horizontal top panel 54 is raised (FIG. 3) to its vertical position adjacent the wall of edifice 28 (FIG. 2). Flexible strap 64 is stretched over the folded top panel and secured.

. Hook 40 is disengaged from eyelet 42, and bolts 22 withdrawn drawn from apertures 24. Front and side panels 12, 16 are folded together and moved to a convenient location for storage. The bar has now been completely disassembled in a matter of moments, and the space it formerly occupied is available for other purposes. For example if edifice 28 is a garage, an automobile may be moved into the area formerly occupied by portable bar 10. Block 36 may remain in place since it will not interfere with the passage of a car tire rolling over the block.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be ev-' ident that there are a number of changes, adaptations, and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. However,

it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A portable furniture device adapted to be installed in and removed from a particular location in an edifice having a floor, comprising:

a vertical front panel;

a vertical side panel secured by hinges to said front panel and adapted for pivotal movement relative to said first panel about said hinges; 1

one end of said front panel being removably attached to said edifice;

a first horizontal top panel fastened by hinge means to said edifice above said front panel and adapted to lie adjacent and be supported by-said front and side panels in one position and to be rotated to a second vertical storage position about said hinge means;

said first horizontal top panel comprising two members hinged together whereby one member is adapted to be folded against said other member when said first horizontal top panel is rotated to said second storage position about said hinge means;

door means pivotally attached to said edifice and extending between said edifice and said vertical side panel;

said door means adapted to alternately lie adjacent said edifice or to extend from said edifice;

a second horizontal toppanel fastened by additional hinge means to said edifice above said door means and adapted to lie adjacent and be supported by said door means in one position and to be rotated about said additional hinge means to a second vertical storage position.

2. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including alignment means on the underside of said first horizontal top panel adapted to hold said top panel in place on top of said vertical front and side panels.-

3. The portable furniture device of claim 2 wherein said alignment means includes a first channel for receiving said front panel and a second channel disposed at right angles to said first channel for receiving said side panel.

4. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including support legs removably attached to the underside of said horizontaltop panel and adapted to extend from the underside of said panel to the floor of said edifice when said top panel is supported by said front panel.

5. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including removable fastening means extending between said first and second horizontal top panels for holding said top panels together when said top panels are supported by said front and side vertical panels.

6. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including removable fastening means extending between said floor and at least one of said vertical front and side panels.

7. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including removable fastening means extending between said edifice and said first and second top panels when said top panels are in said second storage positions to maintain said top panels in said second storage positions.

8. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including faces on at least one of their faces. means on said floor to maintain said side panel at right 10. The portable furniture device of claim 1 wherein angles to said front panel. said first and second horizontal top panels comprise 9. The portable furniture device of claim 1 wherein plastic laminate surfaces on the upper side thereof. said front and side panels each include decorative sur- 

1. A portable furniture device adapted to be installed in and removed from a particular location in an edifice having a floor, comprising: a vertical front panel; a vertical side panel secured by hinges to said front panel and adapted for pivotal movement relative to said first panel about said hinges; one end of said front panel being removably attached to said edifice; a first horizontal top panel fastened by hinge means to said edifice above said front panel and adapted to lie adjacent and be supported by said front and side panels in one position and to be rotated to a second vertical storage position about said hinge means; said first horizontal top panel comprising two members hinged together whereby one member is adapted to be folded against said other member when said first horizontal top panel is rotated to said second storage position about said hinge means; door means pivotally attached to said edifice and extending between said edifice and said vertical side panel; said door means adapted to alternately lie adjacent said edifice or to extend from said edifice; a second horizontal top panel fastened by additional hinge means to said edifice above said door means and adapted to lie adjacent and be supported by said door means in one position and to be rotated about said additional hinge means to a second vertical storage position.
 2. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including alignment means on the underside of said first horizontal top panel adapted to hold said top panel in place on top of said vertical front and side panels.
 3. The portable furniture device of claim 2 wherein said alignment means includes a first channel for receiving said front panel and a second channel disposed at right angles to said first channel for receiving said side panel.
 4. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including support Legs removably attached to the underside of said horizontal top panel and adapted to extend from the underside of said panel to the floor of said edifice when said top panel is supported by said front panel.
 5. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including removable fastening means extending between said first and second horizontal top panels for holding said top panels together when said top panels are supported by said front and side vertical panels.
 6. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including removable fastening means extending between said floor and at least one of said vertical front and side panels.
 7. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including removable fastening means extending between said edifice and said first and second top panels when said top panels are in said second storage positions to maintain said top panels in said second storage positions.
 8. The portable furniture device of claim 1 including means on said floor to maintain said side panel at right angles to said front panel.
 9. The portable furniture device of claim 1 wherein said front and side panels each include decorative surfaces on at least one of their faces.
 10. The portable furniture device of claim 1 wherein said first and second horizontal top panels comprise plastic laminate surfaces on the upper side thereof. 